The role Islam has played in history and it impact on human progress and the loss that humanity suffered by its decline.

Timeless and judicious, originally written in Arabic, it examines the role Islam played in history and its impact on human progress and the loss that humanity suffered by its decline.

It counters the prevailing attitude that Islam is a spent force, that it has outlived its usefulness. The author persuasively argues for the eternal reality of Islam and that it is a programme of life which is always dynamic and can never grow obsolete.

This thought-provoking tour de force throws new light on the motives, opportunities and impact of the Islamic and other civilisations, on the material welfare and spiritual progress of humanity.

The book has been rendered into English, French, Turkish, Persian and Urdu. In each language it has seen several reprints so far.

This book undertakes a study of the impact of Islam on history: the role Islam played in the story of human progress and the loss humanity has suffered by its downfall. In the words of its English Translator, Dr. Asif Kidwai, the aim of the author has been 'to stir the Muslims into an appreciation of Islam's glorious role in the story of human progress, and to promote in them thereby, a desire to look into themselves, with a view to finding out how far they have been true to their duty and mission to the world.'

The book provides an emphatic refutation of the charge that Islam has outlived its usefulness, and hence, it would be futile to look up to it for guidance in the modern context of things. It presents Islam as an eternal reality and a programme of life which can never grow obsolete. This thought-provoking study throws new light on motives, opportunities and impact of Islamic and other civilizations on the material welfare as well as spiritual progress of humanity.

This book, by the late Indian historian and intellectual, Shaykh Abu 'l-Hasan Ali Nadwi, is a story of

the ebbs and flows of this Ummah;

the challenges,

the setbacks,

and most importantly, the successes. ​

It is a poignant story of the accomplishments, attainments, and triumphs that propelled the Ummah forward. It is a story told through extraordinary figures: the revivers, men of courage, vigour, and zeal, an elect group who were graced with divine determination to safeguard the spirit of God's religion on earth. In other words, they were the saviours of the Islamic spirit.

Drawing on the lives of ten of the most influential personalities of the first seven centuries of Islam, from Hasan al-Basri, Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, and Ghazali to Ibn al-Jawzi and Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi, this work offers comfort and much-needed perspective, given the current situation of Muslims around the world. It aims to inspire Muslim youth and others to virtue and love for Allah, and to provide role models of intellectual and spiritual excellence, at a time when people are looking for motivation from other sources. This history reminds us that we are not in the direst of situations.

About The Author

Shaykh Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi One of the most prolific writers and original thinkers of our time, author of well over fifty books in various languages, and a scholar of rare distinction, passed into the mercy of Allah in December 1999.

The Maulana was a founder member of the Muslim World League (Rabita), a member of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), a member of the World Supreme Council of Mosques, and a member of the Fiqh Council of Rabita. He was also a member of Advisory Council of the Islamic University of Madinah al-Munawwarah, a member of its Supreme Council, and a member of the Academy of Arts and Letters of Damascus, Syria. He was also a founder member of the League of the Islamic Literature in India.

Perhaps better known as the member and rector of Nadwatul Ulama (India), and president of the Academy of Islamic Research and Publications.